https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ad2014_28.pdf
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
NOV - 3 2014
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2014-28 (Requests to Upgrade Discharge by Veterans
Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
1 . References:
a. Memorandum, Secretary of Defense, 3 Sep 2014, subject: Supplemental
Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering
Discharge Upgrade Requests by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
b. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552.
c. Army Regulation 15-185 (Army Board for Correction of Military Records),
31 March 2006.
2. Pursuant to reference 1a, this directive implements supplemental guidance to the
Army Review Boards Agency (ARBA) regarding requests to upgrade discharges by
veterans claiming post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It augments the ARBA
processes outlined in references 1b and 1c.
3. Under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and
Reserve Affairs), ARBA will:
a. immediately implement the supplemental guidance outlined in the attachment to
reference 1a for all boards that review the characterization of discharges. This includes,
but is not limited to, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records.
b. prioritize the review of all applicants with service in the Vietnam theater and
provide me with a quarterly status beginning in January 2015.
c. coordinate a public messaging campaign targeting veterans groups that includes
congressional messaging with the Chief, Legislative Liaison and Chief, Public Affairs by
14 November 2014.
d. coordinate any additional medical resources needed to support this effort with
The Surgeon General.
4. The Office of the Surgeon General will provide expert guidance to ARBA on clinical
manifestations of PTSD and behavioral indicators to help ARBA assess the presence of
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2014-28 (Requests to Upgrade Discharge by Veterans
Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD and its potentially mitigating effects. When requested, the office will provide
consultation to supplement ARBA's efforts on complex cases that exceed ARBA's
capabilities.
5. The Chief, Legislative Liaison and Chief, Public Affairs will implement the messaging
campaign for the remainder of 2014 and calendar year 2015.
6. This directive is effective immediately. The Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Manpower and Reserve Affairs) is the proponent for this policy and will publish
appropriate implementing instructions as soon as possible.
~-(,,,. I.I( • UI... ~'":~
- ')ohn M. McHugh 1
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
U.S. Army Forces Command
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
U.S. Army Materiel Command
U.S. Army Pacific
U.S. Army Europe
U.S. Army Central
U.S. Army North
U.S. Army South
U.S. Army Africa/Southern European Task Force
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
U.S. Army Medical Command
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
U.S. Army Installation Management Command
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
(CONT)
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SUBJECT: Army Directive 2014-28 (Requests to Upgrade Discharge by Veterans
Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)
Executive Director, Arlington National Cemetery
Commander, U.S. Army Accessions Support Brigade
Commandant, U.S. Army War College
Commander, Second Army
CF:
Director, Army National Guard
Director of Business Transformation
Commander, Eighth Army
Commander, U.S. Army Cyber Command
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